Swedish authorities are discussing next steps for the fire-stricken German bulker Almirante Storni located south of the small island of Vinga.
According to local media, the Liberian-flagged ship which is carrying burning timber, will be towed to the port of Gothenburg.
As for the shipowner NCS, it reported that the fire had been extinguished, but the latest infrared images, taken by helicopter, still show some heat nests.
Firefighting operations have been taking place since last weekend, while several ships are helping with extra extinguishing resources.
Now, the Coast Guard will try to move the ship, but favourable weather conditions should be used to tow the burning ship to port.
The ship can not stay where she is, she needs to be moved to a place in the calmer waters or to the port. We are accelerating that process, time is running out and the forecast shows that severe weather will soon be here
said Coast Guard’s Fredrik Hallerström.
The 17 crew of the ship are all safe, and there is no danger to the environment from fuel oil or other harmful substances.
In the meantime, police and prosecutors started a preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire.
For this reason, interrogations were conducted with the crewmembers onboard, but there was no suspicion that the fire was intentionally started.
